Newcastle United: It's crunch time for Steve McClaren and his underachieving squad

Kevin Doocey
05 February 2016

Steve McClaren added to his squad in January, but will it be enough?

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Newcastle fan Kevin Doocey has run the rule over his side's business in the transfer window and wonders whether it'll be enough to save their season...

"The new signings could only watch on as Wednesday’s 0-3 defeat to Everton plunged the Magpies further into the relegation mire. However, it was the manner of defeat that angered supporters the most. There didn’t seem to be a gameplan, players looked clueless across the pitch - a common trait for the last two seasons."

Newcastle United dominated the January headlines with their £30m spending spree in the transfer market, as Henri Saivet, Jonjo Shelvey, Andros Townsend and Seydou Doumbia all arrived to help stave off the threat of relegation at St. James' Park. For the most part, it marked a change in approach from the NUFC board, shifting their focus to homegrown players rather than signing a handful of foreign imports. More so, it signaled panic at boardroom level. The possibility of relegation is fast becoming reality in the corridors of power at Newcastle.

The new signings could only watch on as Wednesday's 0-3 defeat to Everton plunged the Magpies further into the relegation mire. However, it was the manner of defeat that angered supporters the most. There didn't seem to be a gameplan, players looked clueless across the pitch - a common trait for the last two seasons.

New recruits will obviously take time to click with their fellow squad members, including £12m Shelvey who - instead of a midfield saviour - resembled a deer in headlights at Goodison Park. Undoubtedly talented but with a questionable attitude, Shelvey's transfer will either go down as a masterstroke or nightmare depending whether NUFC stay in the Premier League.

Andros Townsend is another England international that arrives on the back of plenty of recommendation, with the hope he can be the man to help get the forwards firing. Goals are in short supply at Newcastle, and the signing of Roma's Seydou Doumbia on loan is last-chance saloon stuff. However, with an outstanding scoring record in the Champions League alone, and an eagerness to prove himself in the Premier League, Doumbia is well worth a shot. Powerful, pacy and relentless - the Ivorian will give defenders plenty to think about from now until May.

On paper, Newcastle United have arguably one of the best squads in the Premier League (editor's note: Steady on, Kev!). As a side full of internationals, including numerous World Cup performers, the club shouldn't be sitting 18th in the Premier League table. With that, it boils down to the head-coach, Steve McClaren. The ex-England boss must be wondering how he landed a job in the top flight after failing not once, but twice with Championship outfit Derby County in their pursuit of EPL status.

Not only that, but the board have listened to him and even spent the guts of £30m bringing in players of his choosing. The pressure is most certainly on, and rightly so.

With 14 games left, it looks likely that if the Magpies are to avoid relegation - they're currently 2.265/4 to go down - then they will be relying on their home form to do so. West Bromwich Albion stroll into town on Saturday and anything less than a win will mark disaster for Newcastle. They are 2.26/5 to secure victory against Tony Pulis' men.

Equipped with a squad more than capable of securing safety, there are no excuses left for McClaren and Newcastle United. January's transfer arrivals will either ensure survival, or sink the club. Everything could unravel quickly, it might start with the Baggies on Saturday.